I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 (see first page for add'l details)

[calypso726]

Thank you. For someone who is just starting out with hotel branded cards, would you suggest to start with the Hilton Honors base card with no annual fee? I was looking at the Aspire and heard that they might be changing some of the rewards around so not sure I want to spend $450 on something that could change before I get to use the perks

You are very welcome. You’ve come to a great place for kind advice. We have lots of great people on this thread and all of us have different travel styles and goals. So you may often get conflicting advice. Take it with a grain of salt, look at the “why” and then see if it works for you, your travel goals and style.

One constant in this hobby is that change is inevitable and points, miles, etc. will devalue. Therefore, it’s best to take advantage if something works for you now and worry about the change later. I have heard about the possibility of Aspire changes. I will cross that bridge when it comes. In the meantime, DH and I each have 2 Aspire cards. I’m too lazy to MS my way to FN certificates. We fully utilize all the benefits of all 4 cards and they more than pay for themselves quite easily every year between the $250 airline credit, $250 resort credit and free night certificate. We do not use them for spending. They are sock drawer cards. The only time I use them for spend is while at a Hilton Resort on a points or free night certificates stay for incidentals and meals on property for the $250 per card resort credit and the 14x on spend at Hilton. This came in handy while we were at the Hilton Moorea and Conrad Bora Bora recently as food on property is pretty spendy. We spent just over $1,000 on meals, incidentals and transfers. We put $250 on each card and they have been credited.

I personally value the Hyatt card and Chase Ultimate rewards earning cards over most other cards. I can transfer my Chase UR points from a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred to Hyatt and other airline programs. Also, the rule of thumb for starting in this hobby is get your Chase cards first. Chase has a 5/24 rule which means they will auto deny and applicants who have opened 5 or more credit cards from any bank (this includes being an authorized user) In the previous 24 months. Variable points from Chase or Amex tend to be more valuable besides being versatile for those in the hobby.

My “why” is the goal of more luxury travel, outsized value on points and miles. I also like to diversify so that I have options when planning travel.

Hope this helps

 

[chattadisser]

Do the Staples near you all require ID for GC purchases above $200? I was told this yesterday. Wanted to use an offer on DH's card for 10% back on $220. I'm hoping it was just the one lady because I had planned to go back tomorrow to get fee-free MCs with DH's new ink. If I have to wait until he's available we're never going to meet that MSR!

I've found that it varies. Sometimes I am asked for an ID on every transaction and then other times I'm not. I usually just have it out in case. The bad part of this is I can't us DH's card to go get VGC's on the off chance that they ask for ID. He's fine going, he just doesn't have as much time to do it as I do.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I've found that it varies. Sometimes I am asked for an ID on every transaction and then other times I'm not. I usually just have it out in case. The bad part of this is I can't us DH's card to go get VGC's on the off chance that they ask for ID. He's fine going, he just doesn't have as much time to do it as I do.

This has me worried because DH can usually not make it out to Staples during the week and our weekends this summer as so busy, it would be much better if I could do it since Staples is near my work. Going to try again tomorrow since I'll be back in the office, but if it doesn't work, would adding me as an "employee" to get a card with my name get my credit checked?
Or maybe I'll have to drag DH to Staples kicking and screaming one evening after work lol

 

[IFlossU]

Going to try again tomorrow since I'll be back in the office, but if it doesn't work, would adding me as an "employee" to get a card with my name get my credit checked?

Was going to suggest this. Get an employee card with every business card you get. You won’t get a credit pull, doesn’t show up on your report at all, and your name will be on the card.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Was going to suggest this. Get an employee card with every business card you get. You won’t get a credit pull, doesn’t show up on your report at all, and your name will be on the card.

Ah, thanks! Will do, then. Had never done it before because never had an issue

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Do the Staples near you all require ID for GC purchases above $200? I was told this yesterday. Wanted to use an offer on DH's card for 10% back on $220. I'm hoping it was just the one lady because I had planned to go back tomorrow to get fee-free MCs with DH's new ink. If I have to wait until he's available we're never going to meet that MSR!

It depends on the cashier at mine…probably 50% do…so I always get an employee card in my name on DHs cards…

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Back from a pretty long (for us) trip to Europe. We flew over on AF Biz (using MRs), stayed a week at the PHPV using Hyatt points plus a suite upgrade - I still love this place and the Globalist breakfast was pretty amazing. We took a train to Barcelona and stayed at the Cotton House (Marriott) through FHR - small room (and we had the largest they offer) but again a great breakfast through FHR and a really lovely breakfast patio and rooftop pool, plus it's in a great location. Took a Disney Dream cruise which was great (used some Disney GCs bought at a discount or at 5x). Then spent a couple days in Rome. Flew home on BA Biz (using MR points) because AF wanted a ridiculous amount of points for the flight home. All in all it was a pretty fantastic vacation with lots of history, art, discovery, visits to new and familiar places, and it was much longer and nicer because of the points game.

Thank you to all of you who share ideas and advice on here. I truly appreciate you all.

We're doing something similar next May, and sailing on the Dream also. Have two nights pre cruise and one post cruise in Barcelona at the Hyatt by the airport but I don't like how far it is from the city center (the options downtown are unavailable). DH hasn't been to Barcelona so we'll be exploring. Thanks for reminding me to look at the FHR collection! If one of the hotels on there is available Jan 1 when our credits reset, I might move us at least for the 2 pre-nights. Or maybe one of the other hotels through Hyatt will open up.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

MtoM* is reporting a 100k SUB for the Capital One Venture card, $5k MSR/3 mos, $95AF. This is one of the few low fee AF cards that offers $100 TSA/Global Entry reimbursement. SUB is worth a minimum of $1,000, which can be used to erase travel charges or used towards GCs. Or transfer to many travel partners.

1:1 transfer ratio​

• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada - Aeroplan®
• Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Choice Privileges®2
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Finnair Plus
• Flying Blue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

*Note origin of offer- public at select airports but available by QR code scanning.

 

[elgerber]

MtoM* is reporting a 100k SUB for the Capital One Venture card, $5k MSR/3 mos, $95AF. This is one of the few low fee AF cards that offers $100 TSA/Global Entry reimbursement. SUB is worth a minimum of $1,000, which can be used to erase travel charges or used towards GCs. Or transfer to many travel partners.

1:1 transfer ratio​

• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada - Aeroplan®
• Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Choice Privileges®2
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Finnair Plus
• Flying Blue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

*Note origin of offer- public at select airports but available by QR code scanning.

Hmmmmm, has anyone ever had more than two of these in their lifetime? I have had this card twice so far, but this is a fantastic offer.
And if I couldn't get the offer, would they deny me, so I wouldn't get stuck with a card?

 

[lsutigers03]

MtoM* is reporting a 100k SUB for the Capital One Venture card, $5k MSR/3 mos, $95AF. This is one of the few low fee AF cards that offers $100 TSA/Global Entry reimbursement. SUB is worth a minimum of $1,000, which can be used to erase travel charges or used towards GCs. Or transfer to many travel partners.

1:1 transfer ratio​

• Aeromexico Club Premier
• Air Canada - Aeroplan®
• Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Choice Privileges®2
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• Finnair Plus
• Flying Blue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• TAP Miles&Go
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Red
• Wyndham Rewards

*Note origin of offer- public at select airports but available by QR code scanning.

How does Capital One feel about buying gift cards to go towards the MSR? I got a Venture X in 12/21. Would that disqualify me from this card? I assume not but I wanted to be sure.

 

[afan]

r/churning reopened this afternoon. There's a post there you can read but back to normal.

r/awardtravel has as well but as nsfw which probably won't last. Have to be logged in to view it now because of that.

 

[georgina]

Was checking my accounts today to see if the 40,000 URs from my last Ink referral had posted. The dashboard said they were pending and would post with my statement close on July 3. Seemed like a change to me, they used to post on Tuesdays

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Was checking my accounts today to see if the 40,000 URs from my last Ink referral had posted. The dashboard said they were pending and would post with my statement close on July 3. Seemed like a change to me, they used to post on Tuesdays

Mine says the same but don't remember how it was before

 

[Judique]

Do the Staples near you all require ID for GC purchases above $200? I was told this yesterday. Wanted to use an offer on DH's card for 10% back on $220. I'm hoping it was just the one lady because I had planned to go back tomorrow to get fee-free MCs with DH's new ink. If I have to wait until he's available we're never going to meet that MSR!

Yes. Sometimes they don't ask but I'm always ready with my card and driver's license.

 

[punkin]

So DH just bought himself a southwest early bird check in when I told him to wait until the airport and try to get a1-15 for which I get reimbursed.
Oh well... it's just $20.

 

[mmmears]

Thank you. We are in AZ so I would prefer to leave from SFO.

Oh, great. So many people here aren't on the west coast, so I just assume my info may not be so helpful. In that case, there are multiple direct flights on AF from SFO>CDG, plus there's also KLM through AMS. We've booked all of them at this point. For this trip we chose the evening flight out - a few months ago AF told us they canceled that flight and moved us to the early afternoon one. It all worked out in the end, but there is still some post-pandemic shuffling going on. I don't know why they wanted so many miles from FUM>SFO but it was outrageous. BA is my backup because there are multiple direct flights here daily and there is usually award space available (but higher fees). For this long of a flight I'm not willing to book a seat that's not lie flat at this point in my life. Good luck with your planning.

We're doing something similar next May, and sailing on the Dream also. Have two nights pre cruise and one post cruise in Barcelona at the Hyatt by the airport but I don't like how far it is from the city center (the options downtown are unavailable). DH hasn't been to Barcelona so we'll be exploring. Thanks for reminding me to look at the FHR collection! If one of the hotels on there is available Jan 1 when our credits reset, I might move us at least for the 2 pre-nights. Or maybe one of the other hotels through Hyatt will open up.

I really wanted to book with Hyatt but there was nothing available that I wanted and I wasn't willing to stay so far out from the city center. The lower priced FHR hotels in Barcelona were more expensive that I expected, but not really bad for Europe. The included FHR breakfast at the Cotton House was great, plus it's a really cool hotel. Our only complaint was that the room was small (and we booked the largest one available) but it was fine really.

r/churning reopened this afternoon. There's a post there you can read but back to normal.

r/awardtravel has as well but as nsfw which probably won't last. Have to be logged in to view it now because of that.

Thanks for the heads up. I really want to get more info and was sad to see them gone when we returned home from our trip.

 

[PrincessMom98]

I have been gone for awhile but I tried searching this thread for ideas. I am trying to plan a last minute trip from PHL to Anchorage then rent an RV for a week. Family of 5, kids are semi adults. Flights are high but we have 2 companion passes with Alaska Air and points for 1. I have Marriott and Hyatt points for first/last nights. I'm looking at Great Alaska Vacations for the rental. Has anyone found a way to offset an RV rental with points? I have URs, MRs, and Citi TYPs. I know I could get stmt credits but is there a better way? *** TIA

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

So DH just bought himself a southwest early bird check in when I told him to wait until the airport and try to get a1-15 for which I get reimbursed.
Oh well... it's just $20.

Lemme guess "But I thought that's what you said.."

 

[punkin]

Lemme guess "But I thought that's what you said.."

You know my DH?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Hmmmmm, has anyone ever had more than two of these in their lifetime? I have had this card twice so far, but this is a fantastic offer.
And if I couldn't get the offer, would they deny me, so I wouldn't get stuck with a card?

Here's what DoC has for CapOne "rules." Looks like you should earn the bonus if approved.

Sounds like the last 100k bonus required a 20k spend, so 5k MSR is pretty desirable.